I have played Blizzard Games since Orcs & Humans and I'm currently sinking hours into Diablo 3.

All of Blizzard's games feel really safe. Like they have been focus tested to hell and back again. I admire their polish, in the sense that Blizzard Games rarely have game-breaking bugs and their artwork is top-notch (Although there definitely is a Blizzard Style).

I would like to see Blizzard make a game with game design as accomplished as their visuals.

For having clearly talented staff, a mash up of TF2 and Pixar Art doesn't communicate creativity in game design to me. Maybe that is Blizzard. Content to make really polished and solid but unsurprising games.

When people say this game has Pixar art, is that a sarcastic put-down about how the golden age of Pixar is over? Or are they using "Pixar" the way someone who wants a tissue might as for a "Kleenex"? Maybe it's just that "Team Fortress + direct to video Dreamworks sequel art" is too clunky of a phrase?

When people say this game has Pixar art, is that a sarcastic put-down about how the golden age of Pixar is over? Or are they using "Pixar" the way someone who wants a tissue might as for a "Kleenex"? Maybe it's just that "Team Fortress + direct to video Dreamworks sequel art" is too clunky of a phrase?

I think it looks like a TV CG kid's show. That trailer looked bad. The in-game stuff looks worse.

From the CG trailer, I definitely get a Pixar-esque vibe... likely due to the inclusion of the kids as a focal point. From the reactions I've seen online so far, I haven't seen any with sarcasm.

To be fair, I believe some people have been proclaiming the "golden age" of Pixar to be over since after the original Toy Story came out (whereas the majority of detractors seem to target the Disney buyout).

Apparently they're looking to have some of the characters be non-twitch style gameplay, and there will not be straight deathmatch gameplay. That's certainly things that make me happier.

!!! Interest level: +1!

I really enjoy the match-level gameplay in TF2, but when it gets down to playing any individual character, the choices always leave me cold. I feel like my choices are between twitchy shooting that I don't enjoy, being the #1 target, and sitting behind a turret the whole game.

Blizzard does gameplay and accessibility like few others, I'm sure I will play and enjoy this. It hits a lot of the same pitch beats as TF2 (teamwork, inclusive, fleshed out characters), but that's not a bad thing to me. I do worry about what the money model will be, I'd really like to just buy a box with all the content and live with all the hat type cosmetics instead of unlocking mans with Blizzard Points or buying them with Currency Points.

I really enjoy the match-level gameplay in TF2, but when it gets down to playing any individual character, the choices always leave me cold. I feel like my choices are between twitchy shooting that I don't enjoy, being the #1 target, and sitting behind a turret the whole game.

Which of those buckets is Spy? (I could never get into Spy -- trying to fool people is too stressful for me.)

I can identify with the sentiment. Demoman often hit the sweet spot for me: you don't have to aim too well, and you can focus on setting traps instead of twitchy shooting.

You were there when blizz reinvented the action rpg and the mmo right?

E: talking to voncaster

I certainly won't argue that Warcraft, Diablo, and Starcraft are very influential and important games in gaming history.

However, Warcraft, Starcraft and Diablo all began in the 90s. World of Warcraft launched in 2004. So in the past 10 years, would you generally classify Blizzard games as new design ideas or as refinements of their existing formulas? I understand business investments and the guarantee of ROI that franchises provide. But I think that also contributes to the safe/familiar vibe I feel when playing a blizzard game.

One could make the same argument for Nintendo. But I feel like Nintendo has more variety in their offerings than Blizzard.

Personally, I would classify Hearthstone as a Magic clone. It does some things differently, but I don't think that game exists without Magic.

Blizzard makes great games. But for me, there is a lack of the possibility that they will do something truly surprising now. Maybe that just comes with the territory of having a multi-million dollar (billion?) game dev business.

You're all over the place with what you say you're looking for. If you want solid, even great, design then I can point you at almost any title they've released in their history (possible exceptions: Rock N Roll Racing, Cataclysm). If you want innovative design then let's talk about the refinements they added to MMOs, action rpgs (three times), RTSs, card games and action puzzlers. If you want... I don't know, earth shattering and transgressive exploration of just what a game can be I guess you're fucked with any publisher not named The Fullbright Company or Ice-Pick Lodge

You're all over the place with what you say you're looking for. If you want solid, even great, design then I can point you at almost any title they've released in their history (possible exceptions: Rock N Roll Racing, Cataclysm). If you want innovative design then let's talk about the refinements they added to MMOs, action rpgs (three times), RTSs, card games and action puzzlers. If you want... I don't know, earth shattering and transgressive exploration of just what a game can be I guess you're fucked with any publisher not named The Fullbright Company or Ice-Pick Lodge

I should say I don't play WoW or any other MMO, so my view of Blizzard is colored by only playing Warcraft, Diablo and Starcraft.

I respect Blizzard from a polish and business standpoint. From a fan of games there is a sameness that I experience from playing their games. This is perhaps an unfair criticism, because Nintendo and From Software can release very similar games and it does not bother me much. Konami could put out a 2D Castlevania game with minimal changes and I would be excited about it.

But with Blizzard for whatever reason, it feels like same game new year to me. (But this ones an FPS!) The Metzen-Dieder-Games Workshop story lines about evil being an ancient lovecraft type evil don't help in making their games feel unique either.

Probably the best way I can explain it is like this. Madden is released every year. I know that Madden is technically well made and has innovations in it for the sports world. But I just can't get excited about it. I'm not a football guy and I'm not a Madden gamer.

I liked Warcraft, Diablo and Starcraft. And I still do, but its increasingly diminishing returns for me. I like RPGs, but Blizzard's universes largely fail to ignite my imagination when I play them. I personally, don't get overly excited by Blizzard games. And so my reaction to Overwatch is not as enthusiastic as most people I suppose.

I'll not hijack the Overwatch thread anymore, as my view largely has to do with Blizzard as a whole and not this particular game.

I dunno. Game looks fun, but nothing earth shattering. It sorta looks like someone duct taped all of the TF2 MvM upgrades onto characters, threw them into normal TF2 gameplay, and then put Blizzard character coat of paint on it. As someone who's played a lot of shooters, I'm also a little wary of Blizzard making one. It takes a lot to get a shooter that feels right, and if anyone can do it first try it's them...but still. Kinda nervous about that.

That's a good point re terrain in overwatch. TF2 gives its characters a certain amount of 3D maneuverability, but it's limited and comes at a big cost to health and versatility. Overwatch has characters who see through walls or fly. Interesting choice and I'm definitely excited to see how it plays out.

I got an invite to this for their stress test weekend! It's pretty good!

I really think they could stand to lean more on (early) TF2. The maps are way trickier to navigate in part because they lack the huge blue/red arrows / decor everywhere. They're pretty easy to get oriented on, but there's an initial learning period that doesn't have to be there.

The characters are a mixed bag right now. Some feel totally inconsequential, but none really feel overpowered.

I've recently been informed that this is just a shooter instead of a shooter-moba hybrid, causing me to spontaneously become interested even though I don't think I have room in my life for more than one shooter and I don't expect to give up Splatoon soon.